CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Norwich mayor issues challenge to boost food assistance to local families

The Day - 11/11/2021

Nov. 10—NORWICH — Now that weekly emergency food distributions have ended, Mayor Peter Nystrom has issued a challenge to local businesses and residents to fill the void by donating grocery store gift cards to the city Human Services Department in time for Thanksgiving.

Nystrom, who had helped coordinate the weekly Monday Connecticut FoodShare distributions that ended in October, said Wednesday the need for food assistance remains.

"We took care of about 1,000 families every Monday," he said Wednesday. "Those families are still here."

Nystrom said last year, he and his wife, Linda, donated 10 $50 grocery gift cards to Norwich Human Services and plan to do the same this year. He challenged all Norwich businesses and residents to give whatever amount they can afford to boost donations so that local families can afford to have "a festive" Thanksgiving.

"Maybe we can use it as a multiplier," Nystrom said of the challenge.

Donated gift cards can be dropped off at Norwich Human Services, Room 212, at City Hall, 100 Broadway or mailed to Norwich Human Services, 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360.

"I feel that this is the least we can do. There are many families out there that have no means to have what we have," Nystrom said. "This past year has been hard on all of us, but food insecurity is real in Norwich and to have to take money from their bills to pay for a Thanksgiving dinner is just not right."

c.bessette@theday.com

___

(c)2021 The Day (New London, Conn.)

Visit The Day (New London, Conn.) at www.theday.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.